07/22/1987 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mr. Reed said the staff is writing administrative rules for exceptions to the ordinance and for minimum development guarantees. He said the largest impact e of the ordinance involves public perception. Previously, the staff could tell a builder over the telephone what setback was required. Now, builders must complete a formula to learn the setback requirements for each lot. John Kaufmann, Solar Specialist with the Oregon Department of Energy, said cities that adopt solar ordinances generally have no problems implementing them but some people have trouble learning about the ordinances. He sa i d about 14 percent of the residential plans submitted in Portland must be changed because of solar restrictions. A change in the setback solves most of the problems. He said building conditions in Portland are probably the most difficult in the state and some Portland regulations are being changed to address a few problems. Mr. Kaufmann said changes are not necessarily negative and changes must be made if solar rights are to be protected. He recommended the Eugene ordinance be implemented. He said the ordinance can be amended if problems occur. John Breeden, 366 East 40th, said the solar ordinance is a major change to the building industry. He said the ordinance causes problems. He said the ordinance preserves solar access in the winter when there is very little sun in Eugene. He said the energy-efficient Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) Super Good Cents Homes and Northwest Natural Gas Company Natural Choice Homes require very little space heating from April to October. Mr. Breeden said most customers do not ask for solar access but, if peop 1 e want solar exposures, they can find appropriate lots. He said buyers prefer e traditionally styled homes, people like two-story homes, and Eugene's compact growth policies result in many two-story homes. He said lot sizes will have to be increased if homes have to comply with the solar access regulations. Therefore, costs for land, sewers, and utilities will increase. In addition, homes will have to be designed specifically for Eugene. National designs will not be usable. Mr. Breeden said the City recently took a month and two days to check a house plan. The plan was approved as submitted. If the solar access ordinance is implemented, plan checks will take longer. He said it takes longer to get approvals for a house than to build it. He said the City will have to police the growth of trees if the ordinance is implemented. He recommended against it. Sally Weston, 2595 Highland Drive, represented The League of Women Voters of Lane County. She read her testimony and then submitted it in writing. She said the league supports the solar access ordinance and encourages its full implementation. Questioning the process being used, Ms. Weston said league representatives were not notified of this public forum even though they testified previously about the solar access ordinance. She said there may be problems with the regulations but they should be evaluated in 18 months. She said the criteria for evaluating the ordinance should be: 1) is solar access being protected? and 2) is building activity being unduly disrupted? e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 22, 1987 Page 6